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Wollongong welcomes Rugby program and Waratah visit

Over 220 school students from Central Wollongong primary schools participated in the four week Intro to Rugby program recently.

Hosted at the Wollongong University Playing fields and run by Southern Region Participation Manager, Sean Barrett, students had the opportunity to rub shoulders with Waratahs star Jed Holloway after his recent match against the touring British and Irish Lions.

The program gave the students a taste of Rugby with some trying tackle or Tag for the first time.

Jed Holloway, a former Northern Illawarra resident, was on hand to sign posters and give a insight into the life of a professional player.

The students from Keiraville Primary, Gwynneville Public, The Illawarra Grammar Schools (TIGS) and Illawarra Christian School Cordeaux campus, all played four games each week of Rrugby Sevens in the tackle or Tag format, culminating in a Walla Rugby Week challenge in which the teams participated in almost two hours of Rugby.

Walla Week is ARU’s annual National School Participation program encouraging students to get fit and healthy by playing at least 40 minutes of touch Rugby throughout the week, with teachers encouraged to use Rugby as the theme throughout their curriculum.

Entries varied from schools performing the history of the British & Irish Lions or re-enacting famous Rugby moments in their drama class, to creating a new mascot or jersey design for their favourite team.

Participation Operations Manager for New South Wales, Michael Doyle introduced Jed to the students and they together presented the students and teachers with Waratahs and Tryrugby giveaways.

Volunteers from the Wollongong University Seniors Club and Wollongong Vikings Juniors were on hand to assist across the four week program by refereeing, coaching and training the students.

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